The Return: Nightfall Chapter 19

level was knocking at the Bryces door, with Elena at his side. Elena had disguised herself by stuffing wholly her hair into a Virginia Cavaliers baseb either cap and wearable wrap roughly sunglasses from virtuoso of Stefans drawers. She was also wearing an over-large maroon and navy Pend permiton shirt donated by flavorless, and a pair of Merediths exposegr birth jeans. She felt legitimate that no champion who had kn admit the antiquated Elena Gilbert would ever recognize her, dressed similar this.The door open very slowly to reveal non Mr. or Mrs. Bryce, nor Jim, moreover Tamra. She was wearing well, close to nonhing. She had on a thong two-piece suit bottom, but it realizeed happen get out, as if shed cut a regular bikini bottom with scissors and it was initiation to come apart. On top she had two round decorations made of composition board with sequins pasted on and a few strands of colored tinsel. On her dealer she wore a paper cr throw, which was clearly wh ere shed gotten the tinsel. Shed made an attempt to glue strands onto the bikini bottoms as well. The result impressi geniusd like what it was a childs attempt to make an jibe for a Las Vegas showgirl or stripper. monotonic immediately turned some and stood facing past, but Tami threw herself at him and p at long lastered herself to his blanket down. matt H whizy-butt, she cooed. You came dorsum. I knew you would. just wherefored you bring this ugly oldish whore with you? How can we Elena stepped forward, hence, because Matt had whirled with his hand up. She was sure that Matt had neer struck a female in his life, especi al unityy a child, but he was also over-sensitive approximately one or two subjects. resembling her.Elena managed to seduce between Matt and the amazingly strong Tamra. She had to hide a smile when contemplating Tamis costume. After all, only a few days ago, she hadnt belowstood the human nakedness taboo at all. Now she got it, but it didnt seem se riously as important as it once had. People were born with their own perfectly good skins on. in that location was no unfeigned reason, in her mind, to wear false skins over those, unless it was coolness or somehow uncomfortable without them. and society said that to be naked was to be wicked. Tami was trying to be wicked, in her own puerile stylus.Get your hands off me, you old whore, Tamra snarled as Elena held her a course from Matt, and then she added some(prenominal) rather lengthy expletives.Tami, where are your parents? Wheres your br new(prenominal)? Elena said. She unattended the obscene haggling they were just sounds but saw that Matt had gone(p) white somewhat the lips.You apologize to Elena effective now Apologize for talk of the town that way he demanded.Elenas a stinking corpse with worms in her midriff sockets, Tamra sang glibly. save my friend says she was a whore when she was alive. A real a string of four-letter words that made Matt gasp specio us whore.You fare. Nothings cheaper than something that comes free.Matt, just dont pay both attention, Elena said low her breath, and she repeated, Where are your parents and Jim?The solution was littered with to a greater extent expletives, but it amounted to the story truthful or not that Mr. and Mrs. Bryce had gone away on vacation for a few days, and that Jim was with his girlfriend, Isobel.Okay, then, I guess Ill just bring on to help you get into some more decent clothes, Elena said. First, I trust you need a shower to get these Christmas doodads off Just try-hy-hy Just try-hy-hy The process was somewhere between the whinny of a horse and human speech. I glued them on with PermaStick Tami added and then began giggling on a high and hysterical note.Oh, my God Tamra, do you draw in that if on that point isnt some solvent for this, you whitethorn need surgery?Tamis answer was foul. There was also a sudden foul smell. No, not a smell, Elena thought a choking, gutcu rdling stench.Oops Tami gave that high, glassy giggle again. Pardonmoi . At least itsnatural gas.Matt cleared his throat. Elena I dont regain we should be here. With her folks gone and allTheyre afraid of me, Tamra giggled. Arentyou ? very suddenly in a voice that had dropped several octaves.Elena looked Tamra in the eye. No, Im not. I just feel sorry for a humble girl who was in the defame place at the wrong term. hardly Matts right, I guess. We have to go.Tamis whole manner seemed to change. Im so sorry. I didnt realize I had guests of that caliber. Dont go, please, Matt. Then she added in a confidential verbalize to Elena, Is he any good?What?Tami nodded at Matt, who immediately turned his back to her. He looked as if he felt a terrible, repulsive trance for Tamis ridiculous appearance.Him. Is he any good in the sack?Matt, look at this. Elena held up a clarified tube of glue. I think she actually did PermaStick that stuff to her skin. We have to call Child Protective g o or whatever, because nobody took her to the hospital right away. Whether her parents knew about this behavior or not, they shouldnt have just left her.I just hopetheyre all right. Her family, Matt said grimly as they walked out the door, with Tami coolly following them to the car, and cheering lurid details about what a good time they had had, the terzetto of them.Elena glanced at him uneasily from her place in the passenger seat with no ID or drivers license, of course, she knew she shouldnt drive. Maybe wed better take her to the police rootage. My God, that wretched familyMatt said nothing for a long time. His chin was set, his mouth grim. I feel somehow as if Im obligated. I mean value, I knew there was something wrong with her I should have told her parents then.Now youre sounding like Stefan. Youre not responsible for everyone you meet.Matt gave her a grateful glance, and Elena continued, In fact Im expiry to need decorous and Meredith to do one other thing, which p roves youre not. Im liberation to ask them to see on Isobel Saitou, Jims girlfriend.Youve never had any contact with her, but Tami might have.You mean you think shes got it, too?Thats what I hope decorous and Meredith will dumbfound out.Bonnie eruptped dead, intimately losing her hold on Mrs. Forbess feet. I am not going into that supplyroom.You have to. I cant manage her alone, Meredith said. Then she added cajolingly, Look, Bonnie, if you go in with me, Ill tell you a secret.Bonnie bit her lip. Then she come together her eyeball and let Meredith guide her, step by step, out-of-the-way(prenominal)ther into this placeof horror. She knew where the master bedroom was after all, she had played here since childhood. all told the way down the hall, then turn left.She was affect when Meredith came to a sudden stop after only a few go. Bonnie.Well? What?I dont require to frighten you, but This had the immediate effect of terrifying Bonnie. Her eyes snapped open. What?What? in advance Meredith could answer she glanced over her shoulder in fear and saw what. Carolean was behind her. only if not standing. She was crawling no, she was scuttling, the way she had on Stefans floor. Like a lizard. Her tan hair, unkempt, hung down over her hardiness. Her elbows and knees stuck out at unsurmountable angles.Bonnie screamed, but the pressure of the house seemed to choke the scream back down her throat. The only effect it had was to make Caroline look up at her with a quick reptilian movement of her head.Oh, my God Caroline, what happened to your face?Caroline had a black eye. Or rather, a purplish-red eye that was so swollen that Bonnie knew it would have to turn black in time. On her jaw was another purple swelling bruise.Caroline didnt answer, unless you counted the sibilant dame she gave while scuttling forward.Meredith, run Shes right behind meMeredith quickened her pace, looking frightened all the more frightening to Bonnie because to the highest degree nothing could shake her friend. however as they lurched forward, with Mrs. Forbes bouncing between them, Caroline scuttled right under her drive and into the door of her parents room, the master bedroom.Meredith, I wont go in th But they were already stumbling through the door. Bonnie shot quick darting glances into every corner. Caroline was nowhere to be seen.Maybe shes in the closet, Meredith said. Now, let me go first and put her head on the far side of the bed. We can coiffe her after. She backed around the bed, almost dragging Bonnie with her, and dumped Mrs. Forbess upper eubstance so that her head rested on pillows. Now just pull her and put her legs down on the other side.I cant do it. I cant Carolinesunder the bed, you accredit.She cant be under the bed. Theres only about a five-inch clearance, Meredith said firmly.Shes there Iknow it. And rather fiercely you promised youd tell me a secret.All right Meredith gave a complicit glance through her disheveled d ark hair. I telegraphed Alaric yesterday. Hes so far out in the boonies that telegraph is the only way to reach him, and it may be days before my message gets to him. I had an idea that we were going to need his advice. I feel bad, asking him to do projects that arent for his doctorate, but Who cares about his doctorate? Godbless you cried Bonnie thank blanket(a)y. You did just rightThen come on and swing Mrs. Forbes feet around the bottom of the bed. You can do it if you lean in.The bed was a California king-size. Mrs. Forbes was lying at an angle across it, like a doll thrown on the floor. But Bonnie halted near the foot of the bed. Carolines going to grab me.No, she wont. rise on, Bonnie. Just get Mrs. Forbes legs and founder one big heave.If I get that close to the bed, shellgrab mewhy should she?Because she knows what scares me And now that Ive said it, shedefinitely will.If she grabs you, Ill come and kick her in the face.Your legs not that long. It would crash on the metal bed-frame thingummy Oh, for Gods sake, Bonnie Just help meheeeeeeere The last word was a unspoilt-fledged scream.Meredith began Bonnie, and then she screamed, too.What is it?Shes grabbing meShe cant beShes grabbingme Nobody has fortification that longOr that strong BonnieI cant make her let goNeither can IAnd then any words were drowned in screaming.After dropping Tami off with the police, driving Elena around the wood known as the Fells State Park waswell, a walk in the park. Every so often they would stop. Elena would go a few steps into the trees and stand, Calling however you did that. Then she came back to the Jaguar, looking discouraged.Im not sure that Bonnie wouldnt be better at this, she said to Matt. If we can twain ourselves to go out at night.Matt shuddered involuntarily. Two nights were seemly.Do you know, you never told me your story from that first night. Or at least, not when I could catch words, spoken words.Well, I was driving around like this, except almost on the other side of the Old Wood near the Lightning-Split oak area?Right.When right in the middle of the road something appears.A drink?Well, it was red in the headlights, but it wasnt like any fox Ive ever seen. And Ive been driving this road since I could drive.A wolf?Like a werewolf, you mean? But, no Ive seen wolves by moonlight and theyre bigger. This was right in between.In other words, Elena said, compressing her lapis lazuli eyes, a custom-made creature.Maybe. It sure was distinct from the malach that chewed my arm up.Elena nodded. Malach could take all sorts of different forms, from what she understood. But they were siblings in one way they all used Power and they all needed a diet of Power to live. And they could be manipulated by a stronger Power than they had.And they were toxic enemies of humans.So all we really know is that we dont know anything.Right. That was the place back there, where we saw it. It just suddenly appeared in the middle of the heyGo right Righthere Just like that It was just like thatThe Jaguar screeched almost to a stop, turning right, not into a ditch but into a small lane that no one would notice unless they were looking directly at it.When the car stopped, they both stared up the lane, breathing hard. Neither had to ask whether the other had seen a reddish creature zip across the road, bigger than a fox but smaller than a wolf.They looked up at the narrow lane.The million-dollar question should we go in? Matt asked.NoKEEP OUT signs and hardly any houses on this side of the wood. Across the street and down a way theres the Dunstans.So we go in?We go in. Just go slowly. Its later than I thought.Meredith, of course, was the one to calm down first. Allright , Bonnie, she said. Stop it Now Its not going to do any good hereBonnie didnt think shecould stop it. But Meredith had that special look in her dark eyes the one that meant she was serious. The look shed had before laying Caroline out on Stefans floor.Bonni e made a supreme effort and found that somehow she was able to hold in the next shriek. She looked dumbly at Meredith, skin senses her own body shake.Good. Good, Bonnie. Now. Meredith swallowed. Pulling doesnt do any good, either. So Im going to trypeeling her fingers off. If anything happens to me if I get pulled under the bed or anything, then yourun , Bonnie. And if you cant run, then you call Elena and Matt. You call until you get an answer.Bonnie managed something almost heroic then. She refused to picture Meredith being pulled under the bed. She wouldnt let herself imagine how that would look as Meredith, struggling, disappeared, or how she would feel, all alone, after that. Theyd both left their purses with their busy phones in the entryway to carry Mrs. Forbes, so Meredith wasnt saying to call them in any principle sense. She meant Call them.A sudden radical sunder of indignation swept through Bonnie. Why did girls carry purses anyway? counterbalance out the efficient , reliable Meredith often did it. Of course Merediths purses were usually designer handbags that enhanced her outfits and were full of useful things like small notebooks and keychain flashlights, but stablea boy would have his mobile phone in his pocket.From now on, Im wearing a waist pouch, Bonnie thought, feeling as if she were raising a stand up flag for girls everywhere, and for just a moment also feeling her threat recede.Then she saw Meredith stooping, a hunched cast in the sluggish light, and at the same moment she felt the grip on her own ankle tighten. Despite herself she glanced down, and saw the outline of Carolines tanned fingers and long bronze nails against the creamy white of the rug.Panic burst out in her again, full force. She made a choked sound that was a strangled scream, and to her own astonishment she spontaneously hit trance and began to Call.It wasnt the fact that she was Calling that surprised her. It was what she was saying.Damon Damon Were trapped at Carolines house and shes gone crazy economic aidIt flowed out of her like an underwater well that had been suddenly tapped, releasing a geyser.Damon, shes got me by the ankle and she wont let go If she pulls Meredith under, I dont know what Ill do Help meVaguely, because the trance was good and deep, she comprehend Meredith say, Ah-hah It feels like fingers, but actually its a vine. It must be one of those tentacles that Matt told us about. Im trying to checker one of the loops offAll at once there was a rustling from under the bed. And not just from one place, either, but a massive whipping and shaking that actually bounced the mattress up and down, horizontal with poor little Mrs. Forbes on it.There must be dozens of those insects under there.Damon, its thosethings Lots of them. Oh, God, I think Im going to faint. And if I faint and if Caroline pulls me underOh, please come and helpDamn Meredith was saying. I dont know how Matt managed to do this. Its too tight, and and I think theres more than one tentacle here.Its all over,Bonnie sent in quiet conclusion, feeling herself start to go at the knees.Were going to die.Undoubtedly thats the problem with humans. But not justyet , a voice said from behind her, and a strong arm went around her, taking up her weight easily. Caroline, the funs over. I mean it. LetgoDamon? Bonnie gasped. Damon? You cameAll that wailing gets on my nerves. It doesnt mean But Bonnie wasnt listening. She wasnt even thinking. She was still half in trance and not responsible (she decided later) for her own actions. She wasntherself . It was individual else who went into rapture when the grip on her ankle loosened, and someone else who whirled around in Damons grip and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the mouth.It was someone else, too, who felt Damon startle, with his arms still around her, and who noticed that he made no attempt to pull away from the kiss. That person also noticed, when at last she leaned back, that Damons skin, pale in the dim light, looked almost as if he had flushed.And that was when Meredith straightened up slowly, painfully, from the other side of the bed, which was still jouncing up and down. She hadnt seen anything of the kiss, and looked at Damon as if she couldnt believe he was really here.She was at a great disadvantage, and Bonnie knew she knew it. This was one of those situations where anyone else would have been too flustered to speak, or even stammer.But Meredith just took a deep breath and then said quietly, Damon. thank you. Do you think would it be too practically trouble to make the malach let go of me, as well?Now Damon looked like his old self. He gave a brilliant smile aimed at something no one else could see and said sharply, And as for the rest of you down there pawl He snapped his fingers.The bed stopped moving instantly.Meredith stepped away, and closed her eyes for a moment in relief.Thank you again, she said, with the dignity of a princess, but fervently. And now, do you think you could do anything about Caro Right now, Damon cut in even more roughly than usual, I have to run. He glanced at the Rolex on his wrist. Its past 444, and I had an appointment Im already late for. Come around here and prop up this dizzy bundle. Shes not sooner ready to stand by herself.Meredith hastened to switch places with him. At that point, Bonnie observed that her legs were no longer wobbling.Wait a minute, though, Meredith said rapidly. Elenaneeds to talk to you desperately But Damon was gone, as if hed mastered the art of simply disappearing, not even waiting for Bonnies thanks. Meredith looked astonished, as if shed been certain that the mention of Elenas name would stop him, but Bonnie had something else on her mind.Meredith, Bonnie whispered, putting two fingers to her lips in amazement. I kissed himWhat?When? Before you stood up. I dont even know how it happened but I did itShe pass judgment some kind of explosion from Meredi th. Instead, Meredith looked at her thoughtfully and murmured, Well, maybe it wasnt such(prenominal) a bad thing to do, after all. What I dont understand is why he turned up in the first place.Uh. That was me, too. I Called him. I dont know how that happened either Well, theres no point in trying to figure it out in here. Meredith turned toward the bed. Caroline, are you coming out of there? Are you going to stand up and have a normal conversation?There was a menacing and reptilian hiss from under the bed, along with the whipping of tentacles and another noise that Bonnie had never heard before but which terrified her instinctively, like the snapping of giant pincers.Thats answer enough for me, she said, and grabbed Meredith to drag her out of the room.Meredith didnt need dragging. But for the first time now they heard Carolines taunting voice, lifted childishly high.Bonnie and Damon sitting in a treeK-I-S-S-I-N-G.First comes love, then comes marriageThen there comes a vampire in a baby carriage.Meredith paused in the hallway. Caroline, you know that that isnt going to help matters. Come out The bed went into a frenzy, bucking and heaving. Bonnie turned and ran, and she knew Meredith was right behind her. They still didnt manage to outpace the chantlike wordsYoure notmy friends youre thewhores friends. Just you wait Just youwait Bonnie and Meredith grabbed their purses and left the house.What time is it? Bonnie asked, when they were safely in Merediths car.Almost five.It seemed like so much longerI know, but weve got hours of daylight left. And, come to that, I have a text message from Elena.About Tami?Ill tell you about it. But first It was one of the few times Bonnie had seen Meredith look awkward. in the end she blurted, How was it?How was what?Kissing Damon, you nitwit